TuesdayMarch 20,2018

Afforestation project for Shuri Castle starts in Higashi-son

On November 30, pupils planting inumaki trees as part of the Shuri Castle’s afforestation project being carried out at Taira in Higashi-son.

December 5, 2012, Ryukyu Shimpo

On November 30, in the national forest in Taira, Higashi-son the Shuri Castle Forest Development Council, which has been carrying out an afforestation project, planted 300 inumaki (Podocarpus macrophyllus) trees to use in restoring the castle to its former glory. About 60 people, including members of the council, officials of Higashi Municipal Office and fourth grade pupils of Higashi Elementary School helped with the planting.

The council has been already working on an afforestation project at Aha in Kunigami, planting trees such as inumaki and iju (Schima liukiuensis Nakai), which are used in Okinawa traditional buildings and crafts. The planting in Higashi-son was part of their extended activities.

A total of 400 iju trees were planted in the 0.68 hectare forest. They are going to plant Okinawa urajirogashi trees (Quercus miyagii) next year. The council will cooperate with locals and volunteers to look after the plantation. After the planting, Noa Higa, a pupil of Higashi Elementary School said, “It was hard work, but I had fun planting the trees. I hope that they will grow bigger and in future be used for the renovation of Shuri Castle.”